This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott is a veterinarian with over thirty years of experience. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987, and worked as a veterinary surgeon for 7 years. Afterward, Dr. Elliott worked as a veterinarian at an animal clinic for over a decade.

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Parrots, like other birds, are susceptible to a variety of bacterial infections that can impact their health. One of the most common and serious bacterial infections that can affect your parrot is avian chlamydiosis, also known as psittacosis and parrot fever.[1] Another serious bacterial infection that impacts parrots is avian mycobacteriosis, which can lead to tuberculosis infection in the bird.[2] Both of these infections can be treated if spotted in a timely manner. As a parrot owner, it is your responsibility to keep an eye out for the signs of illness so that you can get your bird proper treatment if you suspect it is ill.

Steps

Method1

Spotting Avian Chlamydiosis

1

Look for changes in your bird's appearance. Chlamydiosis can cause loss of appetite which can lead to weight loss. A parrot with chlamydiosis may also have ruffled feathers and in general may appear unkempt. [3]

Symptoms such as weight loss or ruffled feathers can signal a variety of illnesses. If your bird has these symptoms, however, you should get it checked out by a veterinarian.

2

Assess your bird for signs of digestive distress. A parrot with chlamydiosis may have yellow or greenish diarrhea due to the infection. This is because chlamydiosis impacts liver function and the bile created by the liver impacts your bird's digestion.[4]

However, if your parrot has diarrhea it can signal a variety of diseases. You should get your bird checked out by its veterinarian if this occurs.

3

Look for discharge. The bird may have visible nasal discharge caused by the infection. It may also have discharge coming from its eyes, either from the actual eye or from the eyelids.

4

Pay attention to weakness or trembling. This infection can affect the bird's health so much that it becomes weak and unstable. If your bird is unable to move or moves erratically, it may have a chlamydiosis infection.[5]

A bird that is weak and trembling is seriously ill and needs to be taken to a veterinarian immediately.

5

Take your parrot to its veterinarian. If you suspect that your bird has chlamydiosis the best way to get a definitive diagnosis is to go to a veterinarian. A veterinarian with experience with exotic birds will assess your bird's health and send out fecal samples to a lab to test for the infection.[6]

Chlamydiosis can be treated with a tetracycline antibiotic, such as doxycycline, if the infection is caught before the bird becomes deathly ill.

Method2

Spotting Avian Mycobacteriosis

1

Look for signs of digestive distress. Mycobacteriosis affects the liver and GI tract of parrots. This can cause your bird to have diarrhea and bright yellow-colored urates.[7]

Your parrot may be drinking an excessive amount of water due to this infection and yet its urates (in urine) will be brightly colored.

Diarrhea may be yellow or green colored as well. This is due to the liver function being affected and bile coloring the feces.

2

Pay attention to weight loss and lack of appetite. Mycobacteriosis can cause anorexia and weight loss in birds that it has infected. If your parrot is losing weight and refusing to eat, then it could have a mycobacteriosis infection.

Weight loss and lack of appetite could signal a variety of illnesses. If your bird is losing weight and refusing to eat, you should take it to see a veterinarian so the problem can be assessed.

3

Take your parrot to a veterinarian. If you suspect that your bird has mycobacteriosis then you should take it to a veterinarian to get assessed, diagnosed, and treated. Only with quick and proper diagnosis and treatment will your bird recover from this illness. Otherwise, the prognosis is poor.[8]

Treatment for this infection is extensive. It usually includes daily doses of three different antibiotics for a six to twelve month period, or even longer.

Community Q&A

My grey parrot is eating slowly and his eyes are mostly closed. Any ideas?

wikiHow Contributor

Community Answer

These are symptoms of a sick parrot; consult a vet if he hasn't gotten any better in 2 days. If 2 days have already gone by, see a vet as soon as you can. To make sure your bird drinks, you might want to syringe a little bit of it into his mouth; dehydration can make a parrot seriously ill. Never force-feed a parrot unless the vet says so, and make sure you follow the vet's instructions.

To spot the signs of bacterial infection in your parrot, look for changes in your bird’s appearance, such as significant weight loss or ruffled, unkempt feathers. Additionally, watch your parrot for indications of digestive distress, like yellow or greenish diarrhea or bright yellow urates. You should also check its eyes, eyelids, and nasal cavity for discharge, which can be a sign of infection. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your bird to the vet right away, since it may be seriously ill. For tips from our Veterinary co-author on how to treat your parrot’s infection with antibiotics, read on!

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Article Info

This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Dr. Elliott is a veterinarian with over thirty years of experience. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987, and worked as a veterinary surgeon for 7 years. Afterward, Dr. Elliott worked as a veterinarian at an animal clinic for over a decade.